Visible index



Nov. 14, 1950 w. A. DowNs 2,529,926

VISIBLE INDEX Filed Aug. 8, 1944 IN V EN TOR.

H T TORNEY Patented Nov. 14, 1950 y UNITED STATES PATENT u OFFICE VISIBLE INDEX William A. Downs, Hempstead, N. Y.

Application August 8, 1944, SerialNo. 548,548

(Cl. L29-16.7)

11 Claims.

This invention relates to visible index filing systems, and moreV particularly to the index data or record receiving members employed in conjunction therewith.

One object of the present invention is to provide a visible index member of novel construction which, when inserted in a visible index panel, will not override or nest with another member, whereby a selected portion of each member will always remain visible to the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide an index cardv or card holder for the overlapping type of Vertical visible index, having novel means for mounting the same in a visible index panel andfor maintaining said card or holder in proper lapped relation with an overlying and underlying card or holder. z

Another object is to provide a mounting member of novel construction for. association with index cards or card holders, which will loosely hold each card or holder on a visible index panel for free manipulation, and yet prevent said cards or holders from overriding or nesting together.

. Another object is to provide an index card or card holder having a novelform of mounting member which will prevent overriding or nesting ofthe cards or holders .when `assembled on a visibleV index panel, and at the same time provide al minimurnmargin Yof visibility on each card.

A further object is to provide a member of novel, simple'and inexpensive construction which maybe employed as a complete visible index insert, or may be associated with an index card or card holder and serve as the means for mounting said card or holder on a visible index panel and `for maintaining the same in proper lapped relation with an overlying and underlying card or holder. f

. `A still further object is to provide a novel form of single line index for visible index filing systems.

. The above and other objects and novel features ofthe present invention will more fully appear from the following detail description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration only..and is not intended as a dei-inition of the limits of the invention, reference for this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several Yiewsn Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an index card holder embodying the present invention;

Fig..2 is asection taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a visible index panel with a plurality of holders therein; .I

Fig. 4 is asection on the line. 4 4 of Fig. 3j

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5. of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a single line index member constructedy in accordance `with the present invention;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of the in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is 'a fragmentary top plan view of a visible index ,panel with a plurality of single line index members therein.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view similar to Fig. l illustrating the blank of a, modified form of mounting member;

Fig. 11 is an end view of the finished mounting member inserted in a visible index panel;

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary top plan view of another type of index panel with` a plurality of single line index memberstherein of modied form: and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on the line I3-I3 of Fig. 12.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, I5 (Fig. 3) indicates a panel having two inwardly turned side flanges I6, adapted to receive and slidably support, in overlapped relation, a plurality of rectangular holders IIv for index data cards I8 or the like. Each holder I'I (Fig. l) is formed with two diagonal slots I9 to releasably receive the upper opposite corners of card I 8, and is provided with a Celluloid or other transparent sheath 20 to support the lower edge of said card, said sheath being secured to said holder by staples 2|. Holder I'I is further formed adjacent its upper edge with a weakening line of spaced perforations 22 providing a hinge to facilitate lifting of said holder When mounted on panel I5. It will be understood that holder I1 may itself serve as the index card in which case the slots I9 and sheath 20 are dispensed with.

Novel means are provided for mounting the holders I'I in overlapped relation'on panel I5, said means preventing said holders from overriding or nesting together, thereby maintaining them in proper lapped relation so that the lower marginal edge of each card I3 carried thereby is always visible to the user. As shown, said mountmember shown ing means comprise a relatively narrow elongated member 23 provided at each end and centrally between the upper and lower surfaces thereof with a slot 24 extending throughout the width of said member and forming two spaced superposed portions 25 and 26, said slot being of a size and depth slightly greater than the thickness and width of anges I6. Member 23 is secured, as by staples 21 or the like, to holder ush with. the upper longitudinal edge of said holder, andsaid member is of a length such that the opposite ends thereof project equally beyond the side edges of the holder.

Member 23 may be formed as above described from a single piece of flexible wood or othermaterial of a flexible nature, but, as hereiny shown, f is preferably formed from three superposed card-g board strips 28, 29 and 3G of the same width and thickness, the intermediate strip 29 being shorter than the outer strips 28 and 30 and symmetricallyz.arranged therebetween, thereby: forming the slots 24 and...provding. thevertically spaced portions25--and26- Strips 28, 29.and; 30 may be secured togetherby adhesive prior toistapling of the.:.same. to holder I1, ormay be 'merelyassembled in proper relation and then stapledztdsaid holder.. It will be understod that other materials may be used for. strips. 2B, 29 and 30y as, for exampleallfsaidstripsmay be pliable wood,- Celluloid orcsimilar. flexible material, or strips 28. and l:

'(Figs. z'and 51) In thismanner, itisimpossible for one holder tooverridei another.. holders.A and each holder will project beyond the overlying holdeeaminimun'r distance. equal tothe width. of the member 23, thereby maintaining the; lower marginal.- edges of'. each. cardv I 8Lvi`sib1e iat. all times td the..user Panel I5 is provided. at. the. upper and lower edges. thereof with stops (not shown) to..hold. holders I'Il against endwise.r displacement from said. panel.

In the embodiment' of.' the.- invention showny in Figs. 6. to 9, inclusive, the cardonholder mounting. member 23 alone isutilized: as a single line index. member, theindexi data being written on thefupper. surfaceof. said member, The strips 28, 2.9,and13ll forming member 23 arepreferably madeof cardboardand secured togetherbyadh'esiveso. that. the entire upper surface of. the strip.28..is. free for .posting of index data. These members are. mounted one. above the other. on panell, and sincezthe portions 25.and.26 of. said members. are.. disposed. above. and. below. the flangesV I Sofsaidpanel, the` members will be preventedfrom passing. each other andlthus remain visibleat alLtimes to the user.

. Figs-.10 and .11 show amodied form of mount.- ingmexnber for an index. card or cardholder, which. comprises a relatively. narrow flexible strip 3l of. any suitable material such. as cardboard, Celluloid or metal. Strip 3| is provided on the upper and lower surfacesy thereof andY adjacent 4 each end with scored or weakening lines 32 and 33, respectively. forming foldable portions 34 and 35. As shown in Fig. 1l, portions 34 are folded up and back upon the body of strip 3| and preferably secured thereto by adhesive, and portions 35' are folded up and forward over portions 54 in spaced relation so thatslots 35 are provided between said superposed portions. The card or card holder I'I is secured to the upper surface ofstrip 3| between' the foldedl portions 34, 35, and with its upper edge flush "with the upper edge of said strip. When the card or holder I1 is mounted on panel I5, the portions 34 of stripl 31| Vare inserted or flexed beneath the flanges I6,

and the portions 35 are directed over the tops of said flanges.

Figs. l2 andflS show a modified form of single line vindex member constructed for mounting on al panel 3'Ifhaving a centrally disposed elongated plate 3B secured to the upper surface of said panel andi formedl tor. provide; two: outwardlyi vfacing.: parallel flanges 39j.. Thisindex member, infdicated. generally at. 40., comprises. a relatively narrow elongated upper strip 4111;. twogshortlower strips42,` and two shortintermediate strips.` 43, the-strips 42, 43. being.. the samewidth and thick` nessas the stripV 4 I andall saidstrips being'. preferably madeof. cardboard.. Strips. 42.. andA- are of. a length. such. that .when assembled with; strip 4| and with their outerendssinzlinewiththe; ends of saidfV strip, the. inner endsofr-strip 4;2=: Willsbe spaced apartr a. distancegslightly greater thangthe widthof .the` 'basel .portion vofi plate. 3.8;. and' the inner endsrof; strip43. wilkbea..spacedapart;` aidA g tance` slightlyl greater. thans .the` .distaneeg-btiwlell the;l outer edges.v` ofgrthe parallel anges.. 9112331115 forming in member 4|] a slot'.ltbil'rShblie nglOlr' gitudinal cross section 1to1 receive.. langes. 3dr-.sand base portion of plate38r.. 1f.'

Strips, 4 I, 4.2 and fare;preferablysecured. tog: gether. by adhesivetdprovide.. afree.: upper sun-l. faceon-.stripMY for;l the'index. data. or. materiali. In. mounting the member l40- onpaneh 3;'15.. thegin: wardly; projecting ends 1 of strips.A 42; are; inserted or. exed.. beneath the flanges; 39;. whereupon.. the

prevented from. passinggieach'. athen..thereby` maintaining said members visible at all times to theuser,

Y There is 'musi provided;` a. mounting-L member; Df-

novel; simple. and: inexpensive.constructionefor indexcards or. card` holders. which will prevent s.aid.cards or holders. from overridingi or. nesting togetherrwhenmounted inioverlappemremtiomon a; visible.. indexpanel, vthere'lcxy. maintainingl the indexdatavisible atall timesto the user,.andat the same time permits removal or insertion. ofi-a card. or .holder .without disturbing; thef remaining cards, or holders on said-panel..J'Thamoimting member alone provides a novel single line index member. whichcan. bei` mounted: on an. existing visible index panel and used. with` utmost.I re? liability; becausesaidf. member .willr alwaysremain inposition and visible-.totheusen 'Theresia-also provided a` single line index member. of novel construction. for vcentral. mounting 'ont anA exist# ingtype of .visiblein'dex panel,.which. wil'lwalso always remain. in positionandfvisibleto .the user.r The. compactness of theavisibleiindex disclosed is highly important because it assures v-axLindeX system. of large capacity fin a" relatively.` small space. Thesingle line index membe1'.results.in a particularly compact system. While panel" I5 a'nd *flanges-- I 6 referred `to above ""ma'y" be formed of metal, it will beundersto'od that the novel lconstruction of member 23 permits flanges I6 andf'the'panel' 15, ifY necessary, to be made of relatively non-rigid material such as cardboard or tough paper, and if desired said anges can be positioned, as by glueing or pasting, to holders I1, or even formed integrally with said holders, to receive a plurality of single line index members and thus provide a visible index within a visible index. It will also be understood that the 'intermediate strip29 may in Certain instances be eliminated, and in this event membersf 28 and 30W-ill be secured together', as by asuitable adhesive, throughout the greater part of-"theii length, but the end portions thereof willnotbejoined so that the superposed portions l25 and 26 may engage theopposite faces of anlg'es'y I6. It .will be furtherunderstood that whenthe intermediate strip `2i) is eliminateoLthe members 28 and 30 may be made from a single pieceof vmaterial folded to form said members and 'slit'at opposite ends so'that the end portion may engage the Vopposite faces of flanges I6.v "vWhen members 28 andl 30"'are so made and used asl a mounting member for an index card orholder, -they may be formed -integrallywith said card or holder. Various other changes may be made in the devices shown, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. It will accordingly be understood that the invention is not limited to the structures illustrated and that reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a visible index device having a panel provided with spaced outwardly facing parallel anges disposed centrally thereon, the combination with said panel of means for receiving index data adapted to be slidably mounted on said panel and comprising an elongated member having a centrally disposed slot therein for receiving said flanges and extending throughout the width of said member approximatelyl midway between the upper and lower surfaces thereof, said slot being T-shaped in longitudinal cross section and opening through the lower surface of said member.

2. An article of manufacture for use in a visible index device comprising a rectangular index data receiving member, and a relatively narrow elongated mounted member secured to said index member adjacent the upper edge thereof and extending beyond each side edge of said index member, said mounting member having a slot in each end thereof and extending throughout the width of said member approximately midway between the upper and lower surfaces thereof.

3. A visible index unit comprising a rectangular data receiving member, and a relatively narrow elongated mounting member secured to said data member adjacent the upper edge thereof and extending beyond each side edge of said data member, said mounting member comprising three superposed strips, the intermediate strip being relatively shorter than the upper and lower strips and arranged symmetrically between the same.

4. An article of manufacture for use in a visible index device comprising a rectangular index data receiving member, and a relatively narrow elongated mounting member secured to said index member adjacent the upper edge thereof and extending beyond each side edge of said index member, said mounting member comprising three symmetrically-' arranged superposed istrfips'f thev intermediate strip being-shorter than ther-upperthereof and extending laterally beyond each sidev edge of f-said holder, said mounting membencom-I prising three symmetrically arranged-superposed cardboard strips ofv'the-samegwidth and thickness, the intermediatestrip being shorter thanv the `upper and lower strips to form slots at. the opposite ends of said strips and the upper strip being somewhat shorter than the lower strip- 6. A visibleindex member comprising anar-V rowelongated flexible strip, a pair of strips idisposed lbeneath said first-named strip in line with.I each end of the latter and extending part way therealong, and a pair ofstrips disposed beneath. said second-named strips in line with the outer` ends of the latter andprojecting beyond thev in ner ends of said second-named` strips, the-length of said last-named pair of strips combinedbeing less than the length of said rst-named strip, and all said strips being secured together.

'7. In a visible index of the type embodying a panel having spaced inwardly directed parallel flanges, the combination with said panel of a series of narrow elongated visible index members cooperating with said flanges and slidably mounted on said panel in non-overlapping relation, each of said members being of a uniform thickness from end to end and having in each end thereof a slot of a size and depth slightly greater than the thickness and width of said flanges to freely receive the latter therein, and each of said members being formed of card stock, whereby index data can be posted on a plane surface thereof and each member can lbe flexed to endwise engage it with and disengage it from said flanges,

8. An article of manufacture for use selectively as an index member or as an index card mounting member in a visible index device embodying a panel having spaced inwardly directed parallel flanges, comprising a narrow elongated strip of card stock of a uniform thickness from end to end adapted to be engaged with said flanges, and having in each end thereof a slot which is of a size and depth slightly greater than the thickness and width of said flanges to freely receive the latter therein.

9. An article of manufacture for use selectively as an index member or as an index card mounting member in a visible index device embodying a panel having spaced inwardly directed parallel flanges, comprising three superposed strips of the same width secured together and formed of card stock, the length of the upper and lower strips being greater than the distance between the opposed free inner ends of said panel flanges, and the length of the intermediate strip being slightly less than said distance, said intermediate strip being symmetrically arranged betweensaid upper and lower strips and being of a thickness not less than the thickness of said panel anges.

10. An article of manufacture for use selectively as an index member or as an index card mounting member in a visible index device embodying a panel having inwardly turned flanges at oppQsite sides thereof. comprising three symindex unit comprising a rectangular metrelly arranged; suerpesed- Strips f the;

same..w idthand offderent lengths Secured .t0- gether, and formed, of card stock,` the length 0f thelower strip` being slightlymlesspthan the width of said panel minus twice the thickness there,- oiztheA length ofthe ,upper strip being less than saidz-lowerstrip andgreater than the distance betweengthe opposedvl free` inner ends of said anges, the4 length oi the intermediate strip beingslightly less thand s aidv distance, and the thickness ofvsaid intermediate strip being slightly greaterA than thev thicknessof said anges.

11. In avisible index` of;` the type embodying a panel having spaced parallel flanges, the combination with said panel of a, series of narrow elongated members cooperating with said anges and slidably mounted on said panel in non-overlapping relation, each ofsaid membersr being of auniform thickness from end to end and having slots therein intermediate and parallel with the front and back plane surfaces of the member, said slots being of a size and depth slightly greater than the thickness and Width ofy said flanges to freely receive the latter therein, and each of saidmembers being formed of card stock, whereby index data can be'posted directlyon the said front plane surface thereof and each inember @albe-,flexed t9 ea'leealt Withfeefleisess gagetffromrserd enges.,

A,- DOW@ REFERENCES CITED, The following references are oferecordinlthe le 0f this patent:

sfrrl'rizsl PATENTS 

